A screening test is done to find possible health problems or diseases in people who
don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so lifestyle changes
can be made and you can be watched more closely to lower the risk of disease, or to
find it early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are not diagnostic.
But they are used to find out if more testing is needed. Health counseling is vital,
too. This plan does not include recommendations for pregnancy. You and your healthcare
provider may decide that a different schedule is best for you. Major health groups
may vary in their advice. But this plan can guide your discussion.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
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All adults starting at age 35 and adults with no symptoms at any age who are overweight
or obese and have 1 or more additional risk factors for diabetes
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At least every 3 years
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Alcohol misuse
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All adults
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At routine exams
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Blood pressure
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All adults
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Yearly checkup if your blood pressure is normal.
Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.
If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare
provider.
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Breast cancer
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All women at average risk in this age group. Expert groups vary on their advice. Talk
with your provider about your specific situation.
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Talk with your healthcare provider to help you decide when to start screening with
a mammogram.
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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every other year starting
at age 40.
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The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women ages 40 to 44 have the choice
to start yearly mammograms. ACS recommends that women ages 45 to 54 have yearly mammograms.
All women should know how their breasts normally look and feel. They should know the
benefits and risks of breast cancer screening with mammograms.
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Cervical cancer
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All women, except those who had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) for reasons
not related to cervical cancer and no history of cervical cancer or serious precancer
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Women between ages 30 and 65 may choose any of the following test approaches:
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Pap test plus an HPV test (called "co-testing") every 5 years
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Pap test alone every 3 years
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Primary HPV testing every 5 years
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Colorectal cancer
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Women of average risk ages 45 years and older
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Several tests are available and used at different times.
Tests that find polyps and cancer include:
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Colonoscopy every 10 years (recommended)
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Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
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CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
Tests that primarily find cancer include:
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Yearly fecal occult blood test, or
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Yearly fecal immunochemical test every year, or
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Stool fecal immunochemical test with DNA test, every 3 years
You will need a follow-up colonoscopy if you choose any test other than a colonoscopy
and you have an abnormal result. Screening recommendations vary among expert groups.
Talk with your healthcare provider about which test is best for you.
Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or
family history. Talk with your provider about your health history and what colorectal
cancer screening schedule is best for you.
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Chlamydia
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Women at a higher risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Depression
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All adults in clinical practices that have staff and systems in place to assure accurate
diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up
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At routine exams
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Gonorrhea
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Sexually active women at a higher risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Hepatitis C
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Adults at a higher risk; 1 time for those born between 1945 and 1965
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At routine exams if at risk
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HIV
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All women
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At routine exams
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Lipid disorders
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All women age 45 and older at a higher risk for coronary artery disease
For women ages 19 to 44, screening should be based on risk factors; talk with your
healthcare provider
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At least every 5 years
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Obesity
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All adults
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At routine checkups
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Syphilis
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Women at a higher risk for infection
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At routine exams if at risk
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Tuberculosis
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Adults at a higher risk for infection
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Check with your healthcare provider.
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Vision
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All adults
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Baseline comprehensive exam at age 40; if you have a chronic disease, check with your
healthcare provider for exam frequency.
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Counseling
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Who needs it
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How often
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Breast cancer, chemoprevention
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Women at high risk
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When risk is identified
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BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility
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Women with a higher risk
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When risk is identified
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Diet and exercise
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Adults who are overweight or obese
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When diagnosed and at routine exams
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Intimate partner violence
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Women of child-bearing age and older women with a higher risk
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At routine exams
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Sexually transmitted infection prevention
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Adults at a higher risk for infection
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At routine exams
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Tobacco use and tobacco-related disease
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All adults
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Every exam
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